Modular Distractor System for Ankle Surgery Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ankle distraction methods during surgery often impair circumferential access to the foot and ankle due to direct traction, which restricts the surgeon's ability to operate freely.
Innovation Solution
A modular manual distractor system is mounted to an operating table side rail, using a patient's knee support pad under the knee to apply traction to the ankle, secured by a strap, allowing for controlled distraction while maintaining access to the ankle area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If direct traction is applied to the ankle during surgery, then ankle distraction is achieved, but circumferential access to the foot and ankle is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a knee support pad as an intermediary device that applies traction force to the distal tibia/proximal fibula region rather than directly to the ankle. This mediator transfers the distraction force through the leg bones to achieve ankle separation while keeping the ankle joint itself clear and accessible for surgical instruments and surgeon manipulation.
2Reliability
If equipment is positioned in the vicinity of the ankle for distraction, then traction is applied, but access to the ankle area is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The distraction system is segmented into separate functional components: a knee support pad for force application, a distractor mechanism for controlled separation, and a foot strap for stabilization. This segmentation allows the traction application point (knee) to be spatially separated from the surgical target (ankle), ensuring reliable distraction while maintaining unobstructed access to the ankle joint.
3Ease of operation
If the ankle is restrained with a strap and pressure is applied to the knee, then complete access to the ankle is maintained, but the complexity of the distractor system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distractor system is designed as a multi-functional apparatus that can apply controlled force, maintain precise distraction distance, and stabilize the foot and ankle simultaneously through its integrated components (knee support pad, distractor mechanism, and foot strap). This universal design achieves multiple objectives—traction, access, and stability—within a single coordinated system, managing complexity through functional integration rather than multiple separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A manual distractor unit is mounted upon a support frame attached to an operating table side rail. An ankle strap is attached to the support frame and to the patient's ankle. A patient's knee support pad, extending from the distractor unit, is positioned under the patient's knee to provide traction to the patient's limb at the ankle, which is secured to the support frame by the ankle strap.